Category Archives: Estate Planning

It is important to structure the Will in such a manner that it would secure a practical and equitable distribution of the estate, whilst at the same time affording beneficiaries adequate protection and minimising death duties.

All deceased estates need to be reported to the Master of the High Court before the administration thereof can begin.

Up until now, the Master of the High Court would issue Letters of Authority to the “Executor” of the estate, if the total value thereof was less than R125 000. The administration process thereafter is less complicated and in principal means that the “Executor” is entitled to collect all asset of the deceased, pay all debts and pay the balance out to the heirs. No cumbersome process of advertisements in the tabloids, no waiting periods, no lodgement of a Liquidation account with the Master of the High Court, etc.

The minimum amount has now been increased by Government to R250 000! This means that many more smaller estates no longer have to follow the more complex route of administration and can be wound up in a very short space of time.

Many South African’s remain ignorant of the possible ramifications of not drafting a final Will and Testament. Not drafting a Will, in the proper legal manner, can result in: The government allocating your Estate to the parties it stipulates to be most fitting, irrespective of your intentions Familial disputes over who gets what According to… Continue Reading

Choosing an Executor: choosing experts may save you more than choosing close relations. Choosing an Executor to your Estate is a process that requires some deep thought as this person will be in charge of distributing your assets upon your death. Without having chosen an able and willing Executor, your beneficiaries may not receive their… Continue Reading

The ‘Don’ts’ of Estate Planning. Your Estate Planning can be a complicated and stressful endeavour if you don’t know what you’re doing. This leads to many people making mistakes when undergoing their Estate Planning, all of which can be avoided with the help of a fiduciary professional. Here’s a simple list of the top ‘don’ts’… Continue Reading

What assets do you actually own? What are your backup plans for any given scenario? Who are your heirs? What are their needs? How are you minimizing tax deductions? Do you have an effective will in place? Who is administrating your affairs? Estate planning: Your assets Create an inventory of everything of you own. Make… Continue Reading

In undergoing your Estate Planning there are a variety of different things to take into account. Planning for your Estate is one of the most important things you can do in your life and getting to the know process beforehand can really help you to think about the most difficult decisions you have to make.… Continue Reading

In setting up your Estate and Last Will and Testament, the question often arises about how you should pay your minor beneficiaries, since minors cannot legally inherit your Estate until they are 18 years of age. Well, two things need to be answered first: how much are you planning on giving them and when do… Continue Reading

In Estate Planning, there are many things to take into account. Some things may seem trivial, others you may have simply forgotten about, but planning for every little thing you own, and dividing your Estate equally, can really save your family a lot of additional stress! Things like: Personal effects: all your personal belongings are… Continue Reading

“What should I do to ensure my family’s security after I die?” is the most commonly asked question we get asked at Crest Trust. There are a number of different things to take into account when undergoing your estate planning. Availability of liquid assets and cash-on-hand to handle all expenses and debts. Last Will and… Continue Reading

Want to know what about the types of tax you will need to pay on your Estate? This article will show you. If you’re looking for advice on tax related to your Estate, Crest Trust can help you. There are a variety of taxes to pay on your estate, including Estate Duty, Donations Tax, Gift… Continue Reading